Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Saicon; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer match

Paid holidays and PTO

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Saicon is seeking a Principal Embedded Software Engineer to advance mission-critical software for embedded avionics in a military aviation setting. You will drive architecture, development, integration, testing, troubleshooting, and deployment across the software lifecycle.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams supporting avionics systems, embedded platforms, hardware labs, and flight software environments, contributing as a technical leader in a fast-paced defense program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience required.
• 8+ years of embedded software engineering experience.
• Strong C++ development experience.
• Experience with RTOS environments such as VxWorks, Integrity, or MOSA.ic.
• Embedded Linux development including Yocto and/or RHEL.
• Experience with bare metal embedded environments.
• Flight software or avionics systems experience.
• Software integration and hardware lab testing experience.
• Ability to work onsite full-time.
• Active Secret Clearance required.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Develop embedded software solutions using C++ within safety-critical and real-time environments.
• Support software integration, testing, and troubleshooting across lab and hardware platforms.
• Work within RTOS and embedded Linux environments supporting avionics systems.
• Participate in hardware/software integration and system validation activities.
• Contribute to embedded flight software development efforts.
• Support simulation, integration, and verification activities including SIL/MIL/HIL testing.
• Collaborate with engineering teams across software, systems, FPGA, and hardware disciplines.
• Assist with technical documentation, design reviews, and engineering analysis.
• Support mission-critical software deployments within aerospace and defense programs.

Skills

C++ development

RTOS experience

Embedded Linux

Bare metal embedded

Flight software/avionics

Software integration

Hardware lab testing

Security clearance

Travel up to 10%

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

VxWorks

Integrity

MOSA.ic

Yocto

RHEL

Xilinx Vivado

Job description

Why This Role Matters

This position supports the development of advanced embedded and avionics software systems for next-generation military aircraft platforms. The work directly impacts mission readiness, operational capability, and the future modernization of aerospace and defense technologies.

This is a highly technical engineering role focused on embedded software development, real-time operating systems, avionics integration, hardware/software interaction, and safety-critical software environments. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on engineering depth and experience working within complex aerospace or defense programs.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Principal Embedded Software Engineer to support mission-critical software development efforts within a military aviation environment. This individual will work across the software development lifecycle including architecture, development, integration, testing, troubleshooting, and deployment of embedded software solutions.

The engineer will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams supporting avionics systems, embedded platforms, hardware integration labs, and flight software environments. This role requires a self-driven technical leader capable of operating independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative engineering organization.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop embedded software solutions using C++ within safety-critical and real-time environments
• Support software integration, testing, and troubleshooting across lab and hardware platforms
• Work within RTOS and embedded Linux environments supporting avionics systems
• Participate in hardware/software integration and system validation activities
• Contribute to embedded flight software development efforts
• Support simulation, integration, and verification activities including SIL/MIL/HIL testing
• Collaborate with engineering teams across software, systems, FPGA, and hardware disciplines
• Assist with technical documentation, design reviews, and engineering analysis
• Support mission-critical software deployments within aerospace and defense programs

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of embedded software engineering experience
• Strong C++ development experience
• Experience working in RTOS environments such as VxWorks, Integrity, or MOSA.ic
• Embedded Linux development experience including Yocto and/or RHEL
• Experience with bare metal embedded environments
• Flight software or avionics systems experience
• Software integration and hardware lab testing experience
• Ability to work onsite full-time
• Active Secret Clearance required
• Ability to travel up to 10%

Preferred Qualifications

• FPGA software or hardware interaction experience
• Xilinx FPGA and Vivado experience
• Python development for tooling, automation, or simulation support
• Experience with SIL/MIL/HIL simulation environments
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts and tools
• Experience with DO-178C safety-critical development processes
• Navigation, Guidance & Control experience
• Signal Processing implementation experience
• Atlassian tools experience including Jira, Confluence, and Bitbucket
• GitLab or modern version control workflow experience
• Strong technical communication and documentation skills
• Ideal Backgrounds
• Candidates with experience from aerospace, defense, avionics, military systems, or other highly regulated embedded environments are strongly preferred.

Target backgrounds may include:

• Lockheed Martin
• Raytheon / RTX
• Northrop Grumman
• Bell
• Boeing Defense
• Collins Aerospace
• L3Harris
• General Dynamics
• Client Aerospace
• BAE Systems
• Anduril
• Shield AI
• Lynx Software Technologies

What Makes This Opportunity Attractive

• Mission-critical aerospace and defense engineering work
• Advanced embedded and avionics technology environment
• Long-term program stability
• High-impact technical ownership
• Complex engineering challenges
• Strong compensation package
• Opportunity to support next-generation military aviation systems

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary plus bonus eligibility
• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid holidays and PTO
• Professional development opportunities
• Career growth within advanced aerospace and defense programs

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected status